In the stories told by the Maori of New Zealand, the Earth goddess is called Papa, and her husband is Rangi, the sky God. When the world was created, Rangi and Papa were so much in love that they hugged each other and would not let go. This meant that the earth and the sky were always joined, and no light could come into the world. Papa gave birth to several children, but they were stuck between their parents and could not escape. Finally the children decided that they had to get out. One of them Tane, suggested that they force their parents apart. The children agree. One by one they tried without success. Then Tane had a try. He folded himself up very small and slipped between his parents. With his feet against Rangi and his shoulders against Papa, he pushed. He pushed for hours, which ran into days, and then into weeks. He pushed for years and years, and very slowly Tane managed to uncurl his body, straighten himself and finally push his parents apart. Light came into the world. And for the first time since it was created, plants started to grow. But Rangi and Papa were so sad to be apart that they cried and cried. Rangi's tears ran into rivers. They became a sea. They even threatened to flood the whole world. Something had to be done. Of of the children turned Papa over so that Rangi could not see her face. Now he doesn't cry so much. But you can still see his tears every morning -- they are the dewrops on the grass. And the mists that rise from the ground are Papa's sighs.

Yah, that is in no way shape or form an apology. He ends up calling the girl more names than he probably did when he yelled at her the first time and then says that he's waiting for her apology. Asshat.

Just... beautiful. Poetic. And so many modern "pious" Christians like to think that their myths are the only beautiful, poetic and meaningful ones... or that all other world myths are silly or ungodly.

Assholes.

Just like that asshole's apology.

And you know what? Next time I have to apologize when I don't think I should have to, THAT is how Im going to apologize.

Whenever I think of Maori, I think of the book Once Were Warriors (It's also a movie!) that I had to read in college. It took me about three reads to actually like that book, but I still got an Incomplete in that class. Anyways, I love hearing those creation myths from different cultures. Super interesting, indeed!

Do you like Ursula Vernon? I adore her...she's so funny... and there is a NSFW meme that she's done. I don't think she's ever done one that I know of? I'm not usually one for this sort of thing, but with her - well, don't be drinking when you read it, or you'll be cleaning off your monitor!http://ursulav.livejournal.com/716718.html